Lowell would retire injured police sergeant and provide family benefits

The Lowell Retirement Board would retire Vincent Fernandez and pay him a pension. Fernandez is a Lowell police sergeant described as permanently unable to perform essential police duties because of injuries suffered on duty on June 4, 2016. The board would fund and manage the benefits. Pension payments would be tax-free under the proposal. The act would take effect upon passage. The 80% pension would use his annual pay rate on the day before he reaches mandatory retirement age for a Lowell patrol officer.

Vincent Fernandez would receive reimbursement for covered medical expenses. Coverage would apply to hospital, medical, and related expenses caused by his June 4, 2016, injuries suffered on duty. Coverage would follow the referenced state rules for these expenses. The act would take effect upon passage and cover qualifying expenses already incurred or incurred later, provided they arose after his retirement.

The Lowell Retirement Board would return Fernandez’s accumulated retirement contributions in one payment. The payment would equal the total retirement contributions deducted from Fernandez’s pay. The payment would be in addition to the other benefits provided by the proposal. The act would take effect upon passage, with the payment due upon retirement.

The Lowell Retirement Board would pay eligible members of Fernandez’s family after his death. Amy’s lifetime payment would equal three-fourths of his pension. Eligible children would split equally the payment Amy otherwise would receive. Amy must survive him, and he must be married when he retires. Children would receive payments only if both Vincent and Amy have died. Children’s payments would continue to age 22 only while they are full-time students. The act would take effect upon passage. Children’s payments would end at age 18, or age 22 for full-time students.